90 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



young colt to be kept in splints when suffering from simple 

 transverse fracture of the radius. 



Compound fractures are necessarily more difficult to treat 

 than are the simple variety, but even in such cases recovery re- 

 sults sometimes, and the practitioner is justified in attempting 

 treatment after having explained the situation to his client. 



Oblique fractures, even when simple, do not completely recover, 

 ^luscular and tendinous contraction, together with the natural 

 tendency for the beveled contacting parts of the broken bone to 

 pass one another in oblique fracture, results in shortening of the 

 leg and, if union results, a large callus usually forms. Where 

 shortening of bones occur, necessarily, permanent lameness 

 follows. 



Wounds of the Anterior Brachial Region. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Contusions and lacerations of the 

 forearm are of fre(|uent occurrence in horses and are troublesome 

 cases to handle; particularly is this noticeable where extensive 

 laceration of the parts occurs. These injuries are caused by 

 animals being kicked; by striking the forearm against bars in 

 jumping; and in sections of the country where barbed wire is 

 used to enclose pastures, extensive lacerated wounds are met 

 with when horses jump into such fences. 



Symptomatology. — Any wound which causes inflammation 

 of the structures of the anterior half of the forearm, is charac- 

 terized by swinging-leg-lameness. Depending upon the nature 

 and extent of the injury, manifestation varies. In cases where 

 laceration has practically divided all of the substance of the 

 extensor tendons, it is, of course, impossible for the subject to 

 advance the leg ; but where lacerated wounds involve only a part 

 of the extensor apparatus of the foreleg, not so much inconveni- 

 ence is evident, unless the wound is seriously infected and inflam- 

 mation involves contiguous structures. Therefore, in many in- 

 stances, lameness is more pronounced in contusions of the an- 

 terior brachial region than where tissues have been divided more 

 or less keenly. 



In every instance diagnosis is easily established. The injury 

 is quite evident, and the nu^nner of locomotion is not in itself 



